While the 615-page bill, titled “Affordable Health Choices Act,” deals with dozens of reform issues, it sidesteps for now the controversial issue of whether employers should be required to provide coverage. That issue, according to the measure, remains under discussion, though the bill says federal tax credits would be available to employers with up to 50 employees who offer health insurance coverage. The bill also proposes that the federal government reinsure those employers offering health care coverage to retirees between the ages of 55 and 64. The government would reinsure 80% of each claim of between $15,000 and $90,000. Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic in the 1960's.

The bill will be considered by Sen. Kennedy’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee beginning June 16, Sen. Dodd said. Advertisement

While the 615-page bill, titled “Affordable Health Choices Act,” deals with dozens of reform issues, it sidesteps for now the controversial issue of whether employers should be required to provide coverage.

That issue, according to the measure, remains under discussion, though the bill says federal tax credits would be available to employers with up to 50 employees who offer health insurance coverage.

The bill also proposes that the federal government reinsure those employers offering health care coverage to retirees between the ages of 55 and 64. The government would reinsure 80% of each claim of between $15,000 and $90,000.

Other provisions closely track a draft outline made available last week, including the elimination of annual and lifetime dollar limits on health care expenses plans cover and giving the states authority to set up exchanges where employers and individuals could select health care plans offered by insurers.

“We still have a lot of work head of us and are looking forward to working with our colleagues on a bipartisan basis to resolve the remaining issues and move forward,” Sen. Dodd said in a statement.

Join Us Mr. President!"We will double the size of the Peace Corps by its 50th anniversary in 2011. And we'll reach out to other nations to engage their young people in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity," said Barack Obama during his campaign.

Director Ron Tschetter: The PCOL InterviewPeace Corps Director Ron Tschetter sat down for an in-depth interview to discuss the evacuation from Bolivia, political appointees at Peace Corps headquarters, the five year rule, the Peace Corps Foundation, the internet and the Peace Corps, how the transition is going, and what the prospects are for doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011. Read the interview and you are sure to learn something new about the Peace Corps. PCOL previously did an interview with Director Gaddi Vasquez.

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Story Source: Business Insurance

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Figures; COS - Dominican Republic; Politics; Congress; Public Health

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